FW expansion/upgrade ( long )

[proudmomof4]

On January 23, 2007 I sent an email to this address. Today, 2/12/07, I got a voice-mail (I work midnights so I was asleep) from Disney's Corporate office. They thank me for my email and she said she knew of no plans to upgrade the pool(s) at FW to any type of theme. She further stated that this is the first time she had ever heard this idea. In the same email I asked about the expansion but she made no comment on that. I my call her back and ask. BTW, I did not give them my phone number in the email. only my name, city & state and mentioned I was a DVC member. So they took the time to search for me in their database, and make the call.

I had sent an e-mail last June to make a comment on the condition of the CS in the 2000 loop and asked if they were going to renovate the rest of the CS. The Executive Guest Relations office called me back and said "no, there are no plans to renovate any more CS", however, the gentleman who was at the RV show in Jan 2007 is actually in management at FW and he said that the 1500 loop CS was close for renovation right then. He said that they are trying to renovate 1 or 2 CS a year and that it costs about $368,000.00 for each one so they have to space them out. He also said the changes for the pool were just in the planning stages and that it falls under the oversight of the recreation dept as does the Wilderness Swamp Trail, so he could not give any time frame or details. He was also the one who told me that there would not be any new sites but that some would be enlarged.

 

[auntie]

I sent an e-mail to the same address, and received a response via e-mail a few days ago. It simply thanked me for my interest and suggestions regarding FW and that they do take these suggestions seriously. Did leave a phone number and name if I wished to call. I figure it's just a bs kind of response. I specifically mentioned the pool in FW and there was no response directly to that. Perhaps I will e-mail or actually call the phone number, but I kind of figure it really is a courtesy letter.
When we were visiting FW last, a cast member there told us that FW is consistently the only resort filled. Even after the slow down of travel after 9-11. They don't really have a reason to upgrade or make changes..what they have works. I think she was right. I think this is why you don't see discounts or codes for the campground..and frankly seems to be a little bit of a "it aint broke..why fix it" kind of attitude.
Still is a great campground...I do wish they'd upgrade that pool though.

 

[bradisgoofy]

They don't really have a reason to upgrade or make changes..what they have works. I think she was right. I think this is why you don't see discounts or codes for the campground..and frankly seems to be a little bit of a "it aint broke..why fix it" kind of attitude.

I think we ( my fellow DIS FW lovers and users ) need to mount a campaign to influence WDW to add CS to the overall property. Not all at once, but maybe a loop every couple of years. You know how many times we hear DISers saying they can't get a CS because FW is booked. If you go over to rv.net you will see many posts about campgrounds and rv resorts being closed in Florida to sell to developers for condos. So if you can't book FW and the nearest rv park is 80 miles away and it's booked, too, why wouldn't it make sense to increase the size of FW?
Sorry, I'll get down off the soapbox now.

 

[mash]

I wonder if Disney keeps metrics on how many reservation requests they receive vs. availability? Disney appears to be a company focused on the bottom line so I wonder if there's a bigger issue that we're not aware of that is preventing them from expanding FW? I would think that the investment to put in more campsites than stand up a whole new hotel would be a lot less. To an outsider, it appears that any investment in FW would quickly pay back any investment. Maybe I'm missing something??

 

[kmccain]

I just read this on the Theme Park Stategy Board:
Here is the link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1374242
Expansion
This just came across the news wires at work. Thought it was interesting:

Disney plans major expansions to Walt Disney World
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co.
Thursday said it was planning two major expansions to its Walt
Disney World Resort in Florida, including a 900-acre luxury
resort and a commercial district outside the gateway entrance.
In a statement, Disney said the luxury resort would be
anchored by a Four Seasons hotel and would
include an 18-hole golf course and family vacation homes.
On the western edge of Walt Disney World, the company said
it would add lodging, retail and dining in a
pedestrian-friendly environment. That development will be
comparable in size to Disney's Animal Kingdom.

 

[Kissimmee]

But they can't hide the permits they have to apply for in order to do construction. I have seen permits that would be applicable to DVC construction at Contemporary, DVC construction for AKL, some major project by the new Western Way, but nothing for the area near FW. That area that would APPEAR to be being cleared by air in reality was "cleared" by a hurricane a couple of years ago. Until permits appear, even preliminary work cannot begin.

I don't think Reedy Creek Improvement District permits are available publicly.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Permits are registered with the county and are public. You are not correct.

 

[bradisgoofy]

Are there any CMs out there who can give us some ideas on whom to contact with suggestions for improvements at FW? Even opening up some tight CS would be a great help but I would like to see them add a big rig pull thru loop.

 

[tim5055]

Permits are registered with the county and are public.

While I agree all public records in Florida are avaialble for review by the public, Disney does not actually file/register many documents with the two counties their property is part of. IIRC, the only power of a local government that RCID was not granted by the state was police power. This is the reason you will find couny deputies making arrests at Disney, not anyone from RCID.

RCID runs it's own building department, and as a matter of fact was granted the power by the state to develop it's own building codes; the EPCOT Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Gas, Electrical, Energy Conservation and Accessibility Codes,

The Reedy Creek Improvement District, in accord with its enabling legislation, is responsible to the owners of land within the District and the public to provide for surface water control and drainage, utilities and mosquito control; roads and bridges; land use regulation and planning; fire protection; emergency medical services; environmental services; data collection and evaluation; building and other construction codes enforcement and inspections; and interface with local, regional, state and federal regulatory agencies.

As a special taxing district, The Reedy Creek Improvement District must operate in accordance with its charter and state laws governing such districts. Just as any city or county, the income is derived from taxes and fees imposed within its boundaries. In the case of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, the major portion of taxes are paid to the District by Walt Disney World Co. and other property owners, who also pay property taxes to Orange and Osceola Counties.

So, actually Disney is required to file permit applications with RCID, which is in actuality themselves. With very few exceptions, RCID is not required to file items with Orange and Osceola Counties, which has been a problem in the past. Both counties have accused RCID of not keeping them in the loop with projects that may impact thier counties. It probably dosn't help that the vast majority of tax money collected within RCID is kept there, with very little of it shared with the counties.

 

[bradisgoofy]

Just got back. Rode around the whole grounds and saw no changes. All CMs had no ideas if additions or improvements are planned. Had a great stay, though.

 

[bradisgoofy]

Okay, it's been a year since I started this thread and six months since the last reply ( mine ), anything new to add?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Okay, it's been a year since I started this thread and six months since the last reply ( mine ), anything new to add?

I was just at the Fort last week.

There has been a lot of clearing on the existing loops. Absolutely no evidence of any expansion.

Believe me, I got around. See my trip report here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1618473

TCD